Knightly News

Ukrainian Momentum and Polish Dominance Shaken But Sustained: Round 7 Clashes Reshape European Team Chess Championship Standings

Batumi, Georgia — October 13, 2025 — With the picturesque setting of Batumi, Georgia, providing the backdrop, the 2025 European Team Chess Championship has entered its final, critical phase. Round 7, played on October 12th (despite initial scheduling for the 13th), proved to be a pivotal day, reaffirming the leading positions of Ukraine in the Open Section and Poland in the Women's Section, yet not without significant drama and a narrowing of the gap by fierce contenders. With only two rounds left to play, the fight for the European team titles is reaching a fever pitch.

The championships, featuring 40 teams in the Open Section and 36 in the Women’s Section, have showcased a remarkable mix of established chess powers and rising stars. The biennial event is not only a battle for continental supremacy but also a crucial gauge of national team strength ahead of next year's Chess Olympiad.

Open Section: Ukraine Defends Lead in Top Board Thriller

Ukraine, fielding a team with a potent mix of experience and renewed determination, has maintained its sole lead in the Open Section. Their performance throughout the tournament has been marked by solid team cohesion and clutch individual brilliance, culminating in a vital victory in the seventh round.

Ukraine vs. The Netherlands: A Decisive Encounter

The top board pairing saw Ukraine face a serious challenge from the second-seeded Netherlands team, a squad boasting the world-class talent of GM Anish Giri. The match ended in a narrow 2.5–1.5 victory for Ukraine, a result that preserves their pole position with 13 match points.

The critical moment came on the lower boards. Grandmaster Igor Kovalenko (UKR, 2669) continued his phenomenal run, securing the only decisive game by defeating GM Loek van Wely (NED, 2630). Kovalenko's current tournament performance rating, hovering close to the 2950 mark, is a testament to his exceptional form and has been the engine driving the Ukrainian success. The three other boards, including the clash between Anish Giri and Ruslan Ponomariov, were hard-fought draws, which was enough for the Ukrainian squad to clinch the match.

Azerbaijan Rises, The Field Bunches Up

While Ukraine secured a crucial win, the real shake-up occurred just behind them. Azerbaijan delivered a strong 3–1 win against Hungary, vaulting them into clear second place with 11 match points. Wins by Eltaj Safarli and Aydin Suleymanli, alongside draws from Shahriyar Mammadyarov and Rauf Mammadov, solidified their standing as a major title contender in the final rounds.

The Netherlands' loss sees them drop into a large chasing pack tied for third place with 10 match points. They are joined by Romania, England, and Serbia, highlighting the incredible competitiveness of the field. With only a three-point spread separating the leader from this group, the penultimate Round 8 promises to be a dramatic showdown, where any slip-up could be disastrous.

The Open Section standings after Round 7 are a reflection of a grueling tournament, where consistency and individual player heroics, like Kovalenko's performance, prove essential. Ukraine, currently enjoying a two-point cushion, knows that their job is far from over, facing one of the chasing teams in the next round.